WCP2850

[1]

THE CAMP,

SUNNINGDALE.

May 17 1906

My dear Wallace

Only a few weeks ago I was in correspondence with Mr Massee¹ on the subject of your letter² — to no end.

There are in the volumes of my father's³ correspondence at Kew some 90 letters from Spruce;⁴ & there must be in Bentham's⁵ correspondence, which I gave to Kew, a good many.

There are published in my father's "Kew Garden Miscellany"⁶ some 25 entries, ^copies of letters & information &c regarding Spruces' S. American travels.

From having myself read so many of his letters I can safely say [2] that they are of extraordinary interest & value, & that his unpublished material should be out of sight is unjust to his labour & memory & a loss to science.

I cannot doubt that such a work as you outline would readily meet with a publisher, your name alone would settle that point; & if you think my word with Murray Macmillan or Reeve would be worth consideration you have only to command it.

The task of editing would be heavy, & perhaps expensive, if, as I suppose, the rules of the Herbarium Library at Kew would not permit of the loan of the letters. Prain⁷ the new Director, would I am sure do all he could [3] to help you. Massee is I know interested, & he is on the spot.

Ever yrs | Jos D. Hooker⁸ [signature]